AUBURN, Calif. — The California Department of Public Health released its latest data, which shows Placer, Inyo and Mariposa have moved to less restrictive tiers this week in the state's reopening plan.
Starting Wednesday, many businesses within these counties will increase the number of people allowed inside. And some people will be able to return to work in their office.
Placer County Director of Health and Human Services Rob Oldham credits vaccination rates and community behavior for improved tier assignment. Although the state will reopen and do away with the tier system altogether come June 15, Oldham says tier movement now is still important for local businesses.
“It’s definitely going to be meaningful to some local businesses that have been adhering to the state guidance so for a lot of restaurants can move to 25% capacity to 50% capacity,” Oldham said.
The Greater Sacramento Economic Council spokesperson Michelle Willard agreed with Oldham.
“We are glad to see the state of California moving forward with tier changes allowing businesses to reopen safely, especially in Placer County. This is an important next step as we restore the Sacramento region’s economy and bring back jobs," Willard said.
From a public health perspective, Sacramento County Dr. Olivia Kasirye said she is hopeful Sacramento County will get to the orange tier before the current reopening plan is retired. In addition to the benefits for businesses, the county will know transmission rates have lowered significantly in the county.
"It's still important because moving to the next tier means that the number of cases that are occurring on a daily basis in our county is reducing. And so that is still important in getting us to the goal because we want to get as low as possible by the time we get to June 15," Kasirye said.
Elena Zinkevych, a resident of Roseville, said Placer County moving tiers means more freedom for her family, but not much will change for them day-to-day.
“Does the status matter to me? Probably not,” Zinkevych said.
Zinkevych said she is happy to see COVID-19 transmission rates trending in the right direction but feels that it is more so up to individuals and their behavior at this point in the pandemic.
“It’s not about the status; it’s about what you do to prevent the sickness,” Zinkevych said.
Counties like Yolo and Plumas, which were close to moving to a less restrictive tier this week, still have a chance to move to a less restrictive tier before the tier system is gone. Counties need to meet a less restrictive tier's data requirement for two consecutive weeks before moving tiers.
Counties also need to be on their current tier for three consecutive weeks, so counties moved this week will not be eligible to move another tier.
Multiple counties are in a position to move to a less restrictive tier next week if their numbers remain low, including:
- Sacramento County
- San Joaquin County
- Solano County
- Nevada County
- Marin County
- Monterey County
- San Benito County
- Ventura County
According to the current guidelines, if these counties do not move next week, they will stay in the tier they are in until June 15.
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